madre's poppy seed salad

salad:
10 cups romaine lettuce
1 cup shredded swiss cheese
1 large apple, diced*
1 large pear, diced*
1/4 cup craisins
1 cup chopped cashews

*dip diced pears & apples in water & lemon juice to prevent browning

dressing:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 tbs lemon juice
2 tbs chopped onion
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2-3 tsp poppy seeds

mix sugar, vinegar, lemon juice, onion & salt in a blender. add oil & poppy seeds and continue to run blender until well mixed.

*note: this is good and easy. i didn't use a pear because apples were cheaper and it was still fabulous. also, melissa says she has used normal vinegar in place of cider vinegar and the taste is the same. i think the dressing is better if you make it a few hours ahead of time - but we've also eaten it straight out of the blender with no adverse side-effects. enjoy! (from anne)